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David Moyes will not find his Youssef En-Nesyri alternative in Anthony Lozano amid claims West Ham United are considering a move to sign the Cadiz CF striker.

What’s the word?

According to Goal, the Irons have turned their attention to Lozano’s potential availability after Sevilla forward En-Nesyri declared he had no intentions of leaving his La Liga side this month.

Lozano is one of a number of options the Hammers have since turned to in search of a replacement for Sebastien Haller, with talks also said to have taken place with FC Girondins de Bordeaux over Sunderland product Josh Maja.

Cadiz are reluctant to part ways with Lozano mid-way through the season but will grant the 27-year-old a move should they receive offers worth at least €10m (£9m), as the sum would simply be too good for the Nuevo Estadio Ramon de Carranza natives to turn down.

Lozano, who only boasts a TransferMarkt valuation of £2.25m, has started 11 of Cadiz’s La Liga fixtures this term and made five appearances from the bench, while scoring two of his mere three goals for the season following the turn of the year.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation communicating that Lozano now has federal approval for Spanish nationality is thought to have acted as encouragement for those tracking the Honduras forward this month, including West Ham.

It has previously been speculated in the Spanish media that the Irons could offer as much as €15m (£13.5m) for Lozano, as Moyes strives to add depth behind Michail Antonio in his attacking ranks following Haller’s move to AFC Ajax.

Should West Ham sign Lozano?

Haller’s departure certainly left a hole in Moyes’ squad that the West Ham boss needs to fill before the winter market slams shut on February 1, as he can ill-afford to not replace the Ivory Coast international and see Antonio again be sidelined after two hamstring injuries.

But whether Lozano is the answer to Moyes’ problems remains to be seen, as it is very much unlikely that the 27-year-old would be anything more than an underwhelming addition doomed to fail in the Premier League.

The £7,500-per-week attacker has only scored three goals in 16 La Liga games this season, and is even underperforming with FBref data showing an expected goals of 3.8. Part of the problem for Lozano has been the timid nature of his attempts, with an expected goals per game of only 0.39 thanks to directing just 13 shots on target to date.

It is taking close to ten shots for Lozano to score in the Spanish top-flight this term due to his wayward efforts and the low frequency of his firing, while needing close to five shots to find the mark before one beats an opposition’s goalkeeper.

Lozano bringing an attacking presence beyond goals would be doubted, too, with only 0.1 assists per game – above his expected assists of 0.07. He has further made only 28 progressive carries to bring Cadiz further up the pitch, with 134 of his dribbles failing to see the Honduras international move play more than five yards with the ball at his feet.

En-Nesyri, for comparison, has struck home 12 goals in 19 La Liga games for Sevilla this season as the 23-year-old finds the net with one in every three shots taken, to see that he significantly outscores his expected goals of 6.9, per FBref.

With Moyes also playing with one centre-forward and favouring Antonio due to his high work-rate, it would be a wonder if Lozano even gets on the pitch when West Ham boast a fully-fit squad. This makes it ever more pressing that David Sullivan and Moyes walk away from any deal with Cadiz.

AND in other news, West Ham are working on a deal to sign a £13.5m-rated striker on loan…

Glasgow Rangers will be hoping to extend their perfect home record when they return to Scottish Premiership action against Dundee United on Sunday.

Scott Wright could make his first start for Steven Gerrard’s side since joining the club in January when Rangers face Dundee.

Rangers currently sit 15 points clear of Celtic at the top of the table and will be wanting to maintain their unbeaten run of 13 games when they welcome Micky Mellon’s side to Ibrox.

But Gerrard will have to secure a victory without at least two of his star men as James Tavernier and Kemar Roofe have been ruled out due to injury.

Here’s how Football FanCast predicts they will line up for this afternoon.

Allan McGregor should resume his usual place in goal, with Leon Balogun recalled beside Connor Goldson after replacing Tavernier at right-back in the first half against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League. Borna Barisic is also a given while Gerrard will be left with no other choice than to start Filip Helander alongside the Croatian.

With Scott Arfield having only recently recovered from injury, it would make sense if he is rested for today’s game against the Tangerines and is instead named on the bench, leaving Steven Davis to retain his place in the midfield.

That would see Ryan Jack come in for Glen Kamara, with Ianis Hagi returning in place of Arfield.

In Roofe’s absence, Alfredo Morelos will also likely keep his spot, too. Joe Aribo is an obvious choice after his performance against Ross County, while there may even be a place for Wright, who is itching to make his first start for the club.

With Ryan Kent suffering with a minor injury, the stage is arguably set for the former Aberdeen star to stake his claim for a spot in Gerrard’s starting XI.

AND in other news, Glasgow Rangers suffer fresh Kemar Roofe injury setback before Dundee clash…

It appears as though Leeds United are already prepared to wave off some senior members of their squad as the summer transfer window approaches. Ezgjan Alioski has been linked to an exit from Elland Road for some months and it now looks as though the chapter is firmly closing on his era in Yorkshire.

According to Football Insider, the left-back has instructed his agent to start looking for a new club. He is well into the final six months of his current contract with Leeds and will become a free agent once the season ends with negotiations proving unfruitful between him and the club.

At the moment, Alioski is Marcelo Bielsa’s only senior defender who can naturally play on the left. His only other option is Leif Davis, who has just 14 first team appearances for the Whites since signing from Morecambe in 2018, as per Transfermarkt. The 21-year-old is coming along nicely in terms of his progression, but he is nowhere near ready to become Leeds’ first choice left-back next season.

Victor Orta must scour the market for a replacement for Alioski, who looks to be definitely headed for the door. The North Macedonia international will free up a weekly wage of £55,000, which will give Andrea Radrizzani a good budget to move into the transfer window with.

Although the club haven’t offered him a new contract, Alioski has still been a valuable member of the team, both this season and last.

He has missed just two Premier League fixtures this term and has two goals to his name so far. He may not be high up the priority list in terms of personnel, but he is the only senior left-back Leeds have right now. Replacing him must be one of the first things they look to do once the window opens or they will be left seriously exposed on the left flank with just Davis and no real back up to cover.

In other news, Leeds target Nicolas N’Koulou commits fewer fouls than Cooper & Koch…

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit Danny Mills has fired a warning to West Ham United and David Moyes surrounding the future of star midfielder Declan Rice after talkSPORT host Jim White revealed that GSB value him in excess of £100 million. 

Mills, in an interview with the outlet, claims West Ham could face a battle to keep hold of Rice if a suitor offers to increase his salary and if the Hammers don’t qualify for Champions League football – with a potential Europa League place maybe not enough to keep him according to the pundit.

Mills fires warning to West Ham and Moyes

Indeed, despite West Ham being his ‘boyhood’ club, Mills has fired a warning to Moyes that Rice could leave if the Scot fails to guide his team into the top four.

This comes after talkSPORT host White claimed that GSB and co wouldn’t entertain offers below £100m for the player, but despite this, Mills is still convinced certain factors could result in his exit.

“It becomes about ambition and there will be a financial element to it,” explained Mills to Football Insider.

“When somebody says they’ll double your wages for five years, it doesn’t matter if you’re earning £50,000-a-week or £250,000-a-week when somebody says they’re going to double it that’s huge, it’s an absolutely enormous change in lifestyle.

“West Ham have still got to go some to get in the Champions League.

“Would the Europa League be enough of a carrot to play for your boyhood club? I’m not convinced. Champions League – possibly.

“If he had other offers I’m not sure playing in the Europa League would be enough to keep him there.”

Transfer Tavern take

Time will tell whether he his eventually swayed with a move away from east London, but any interested party would have to fork out a hefty price tag according to White.

Losing Rice would certainly hurt fans if it happens, but could £100m to put towards improving the squad make them feel better?

In other news: ExWHUemployee has revealed interest, find out more here.

Steve Bruce can look to unleash Andy Carroll on West Bromwich Albion this Sunday after losing Newcastle United duo Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin to long-term injuries.

Almiron was forced off at half-time during last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers after being left in distress with an issue with his knee, and is now sidelined until April.

Saint-Maximin will also miss the entirety of March with a groin injury, joining top-scorer Callum Wilson in the treatment room as the ex-AFC Bournemouth frontman continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring tear.

Having neither of Saint-Maximin, Almiron or Wilson available to face West Brom will hand Bruce a chance to reset his tactics, in hopes of finding a new solution that can potentially keep Newcastle in the Premier League.

United are currently winless in three games having failed to avoid defeat in each fixture played without Wilson leading the attack, during which Almiron had acted as a false nine from kick-off on each occasion.

Joelinton took over central honours against Wolves once Almiron was forced off, having been tasked with providing the width from the right-wing at St. James’ Park and in the Toon’s prior 3-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The Brazilian’s role was occupied by Dwight Gayle against Chelsea during the Magpies’ first match without 10-goal striker Wilson, but the London-born attacker has only featured for 11 minutes of Premier League action since earning his sole start of the season at Stamford Bridge.

Gayle and Joelinton will be pushing for a start on Sunday in the absence of Almiron, but the additional loss of Saint-Maximin can afford Bruce the chance to reset his tactics and begin the relegation six-pointer using a new system with two starting strikers.

Newcastle have only opened two top-flight fixtures with two centre-forwards in the opening XI this calendar year, when Carroll partnered Wilson in the frontline against both Arsenal and Aston Villa in January.

Carroll has played just 12 minutes since losing 2-0 at Villa Park, while he’s been left as an unused substitute on five occasions including in the Magpies’ last two matches. His opening roles against the Villans and Gunners also remain his only starts of 2021 so far.

Bruce can now look to change the picture with a recall for the £75,000-per-week target man, who has been open in his frustrations at being a mere spectator in recent weeks.

“I’ve been waiting. I’d like to say I can see myself in the starting line-up at the weekend, but it’s the gaffer’s choice at the end of the day,” the 32-year-old told NUFC TV. “I’ve been working hard, I’m fit and if it comes, I’m hopefully going to take it and get on the scoresheet and get us a win.”

Carroll has only scored once in all competitions since returning to Newcastle in 2019, coming against Leicester City in January.

He took nine shots in 105 minutes during the Toon’s FA Cup defeat to Arsenal – Wilson averages the most (1.76) per game by a Newcastle player in the Premier League – but also missed two big chances to score.

Bruce would have to see that Carroll’s glaring misses are not repeated if the forward is recalled at West Brom, but a return to a two-strong frontline may be worth considering while he’s without the Toon’s main driving forces.

AND in other news, an “absolutely awesome” titan has been tipped to quit Newcastle this summer…

Steve Bruce has dropped a big triple injury boost for Newcastle United before their home game versus Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match, the former AVFC and Sunderland boss said (via The Chronicle):

“Callum is four weeks in (to rehab), he’s been on the grass and is progressing.

“The same for Allan and Almiron. We hope the international break will help us get them there or thereabouts.”

Huge boost for Newcastle

The fact that Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron could all return from injury after the international break is nothing short of a huge boost for the St. James’ Park faithful.

They are the top scorers for the North East club in the Premier League so far in the 2020/21 term, with no fewer than 16 goals between them, while they have also made nine assists (Whoscored).

The Tyneside club have a real relegation battle on their hands at the moment, and if they can get to after the international break relatively unscathed, then potentially having their best attacking players return may well help them push them further and further away from the dreaded drop zone.

Nonetheless, the likes of Andy Carroll, Dwight Gayle and Ryan Fraser will have to step up for the Magpies now more than ever until the break, starting with what looks to be a particularly crucial game at home against Dean Smith’s team.

In other news, find out what timeframe a sports law specialist has put on the takeover arbitration case here!

Tottenham Hotspur will make the short trip to the Emirates Stadium for the 132nd North London derby as Jose Mourinho’s side look to get back into top-four contention.

The Lilywhites have an impressive recent record against Arsenal, avoiding defeat in the last five meetings, whilst they have also picked up five straight victories in all competitions in the lead up to this exciting encounter.

On Thursday night, Mourinho named a pretty strong side for their Europa League Round of 16 first-leg clash with Dinamo Zagreb, so it will be interesting to see what sort of lineup he’ll select this afternoon.

Here’s the XI we’re predicting along with the latest team and injury news from the Spurs camp…

We’re expecting there to be as many as four changes from the side that won 2-0 on Thursday night.

Club captain and no.1 Hugo Lloris is likely to remain between the sticks once again, though he should anticipate a similar back four to their last league outing – a 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace.

That means Sergio Reguilon and Toby Alderweireld come back in to replace Ben Davies and the £26m-rated Eric Dier on the left-hand side of the defence with Davinson Sanchez and Serge Aurier keeping their places from midweek, too.

Midfield enforcer Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg should also return, having been one of the few to earn a rest and he’ll partner Tanguy Ndombele once again at the base of the engine room.

It means the £90k-per-week Moussa Sissoko is also axed.

There’s a decision to be made for that advanced role, however. Dele Alli started there on Thursday, and Lucas Moura started there last weekend, though we could see the livewire Erik Lamela deployed there instead.

His energy and work-rate could be exactly what’s needed to disrupt Spurs’ arch-rivals today.

Gareth Bale was another who was rested against Zagreb, so he will surely return to the starting XI here, replacing Alli, with Heung-min Son and Harry Kane keeping their place as both surprisingly started the midweek victory.

Only Giovani Lo Celso is expected to miss the trip through injury.

AND in other news, Exclusive: Spurs can still finish second, says Tottenham legend…

Newcastle United are seemingly putting plans in place to sell Arsenal target Freddie Woodman with rumoured interest in Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Toby Savin.

What’s the word?

According to The Sun, top Toon scout Mick Tait personally ran the rule over Savin last week as Newcastle look to snap up bright up-and-coming talents.

But the St. James’ Park natives face a fight to obtain the 6 ft 4 shot-stopper, as Manchester United are also said to be keen.

The Red Devils are understood to have sent Tony Cotton on a fact-finding mission to the Crown Ground recently, where Savin has broken through this season.

Accrington boss John Coleman handed the 20-year-old his League One debut in a 2-0 win at home to Peterborough United in September, and has picked the youngster a further 19 times.

Savin has kept six clean sheets over his 20 outings in the third-tier to date, to help his side sit comfortably clear of the drop zone and with a chance of making the Play-Offs.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/latest-newcastle-news” title=”Latest Newcastle news!”]

The young Englishman had lost the number one position at Accrington in December after opening the first 14 games of the season, but regained the role following an injury for Nathan Baxter at the start of the month.

Stanley rewarded Savin with a new, three-year contract shortly following his League One debut, keeping him tied down until the summer of 2023.

Should Newcastle sign Savin?

Newcastle signing Savin would be a clear sign of the Tyneside outfit looking toward the future over the here and now, but would seemingly see them acquire a very promising option who could go on to rival Martin Dubravka or Karl Darlow at St. James’ Park.

The Toon may face a lot of competition, though, as not only have Man United been linked, but Southampton were touted as a possible destination earlier in the season after identifying Savin as a potential replacement for Angus Gunn or Fraser Forster (The Sun, 22/11/2020, p. 61).

Coleman admitted Accrington would struggle to hold off their academy product if Premier League offers were to arrive at the Crown Ground, and has often been full of praise for the youngster who was “outstanding” at the start of the season.

“Savin has pulled off another unbelievable save at the end [against Lincoln City] and it will be hard for us to keep hold of him,” he told the Lancashire Telegraph in November.

Coleman also noted in October: “Fleetwood took the game to us in the first half and our keeper made some great saves. Toby has played out of his skin.”

Yet Newcastle moving to be the side that acquires Savin could be a sign of Woodman nearing the end of his time at the club, having been linked with a move to Arsenal earlier this year and touted for an uncertain summer.

Reports by Chronicle Live have claimed Woodman has no interest in returning from his second season on loan with Swansea City to sit on the bench, after keeping 18 clean sheets in 36 Championship games this term.

The Toon will have to make a decision on the £8m-rated shot-stopper’s future with Dubravka and Darlow both getting minutes this season, so could be viewing Savin as their new future number one.

AND in other news, Newcastle’s hopes of signing a “standout performer” have taken a major blow…

Some Glasgow Rangers fans are far from happy with a 55 playlist shared by the Gers on Spotify to celebrate their recent Premiership title success.

The Ibrox outfit are currently still basking in the glory of their title win despite there still being five matches remaining (BBC). It is their first major trophy since 2011, so it is no surprise to see the club enjoying their success, and they are taking advantage of the situation to release a number of products linked to their 55th league triumph.

They have also shared a playlist on Spotify, with the songs all linked to the Gers. However, some of the fans are unhappy with a few of the choices, which includes a song from Gers fan Amy Macdonald and a sea shanty.

The playlist was shared on Twitter by the club’s official account, and it attracted plenty of interest from Gers supporters. These fans took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the Rangers fans had to say below

“Think I can speak for me and many others. Severely disappointed there’s no Rockin all Over the world.”

Credit: @mareorless

“No drifters No joy division No winner takes it all Come on now”

Credit: @Beatthatbeat

“A lot of weird songs tbf. No Tiffany or Zombie nation…”

Credit: @dion_1690

“Get that sea shanty song off right now”

Credit: @StuPollock1

“Sea Shanties and Amy MacDonald, think I’ll pass”

Credit: @samjsneddon

“Amy McDonald? That’s the whole thing ruined.”

Credit: @Ljt10x

In other news, Rangers eye this defender as Filip Helander is linked with an exit.

Liverpool are ‘convinced’ that Mohamed Salah will remain a Reds player beyond this summer, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.The 28-year-old has been a sensational signing for Liverpool since joining from Roma in the summer of 2017, scoring 119 goals in 192 appearances.  Salah has matured into one of the biggest names in world football and become a true icon, with his influence at Liverpool arguably unrivalled under Jurgen Klopp.Despite Salah generally appearing happy at Anfield, there seem to be constant rumours suggesting that he could leave this summer, perhaps not helped by an interview he conducted with AS back in December, when he flirted with the idea of joining Barcelona or Real Madrid. Liverpool confident Salah won’t leave

Writing for BenchWarmers, Romano claimed that Liverpool believe the Egyptian superstar will stay put, adding that there is ‘no problem with the club’ currently.

The journalist wrote that the Merseysiders “are convinced that they can keep Mohamed Salah”, adding that “soon they will also have to talk about his contract expiring in June 2023 but there is no problem with the club.”

Salah’s current £200,000-a-week Liverpool contract expires in two years’ time, but the hope is that he will sign a new deal in the near future.

Transfer Tavern take

There are times when it feels like the Reds’ number 11 is underappreciated, with his constant flow of goals and assists proving priceless over the last four seasons.

It may be that Salah’s world-class quality is only universally lauded when he leaves – the hope is that he is still a few years away from departing Anfield.

In other news, there has been a key update on one injured Liverpool star – find out who it is here.